High radiation monitored at Fukushima No.1 nuke plant

Hourly radiation was measured at 8, 217 micro sievert at the front door of Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant, Xinhuanet reported citing Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO).

A TEPCO official told a televised press conference that the figure was three times higher than the amount of radiation a person receives in his natural state within a year.

The rise in radiation was detected after an explosion was heard at the No. 2 reactor of Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant at 6:10 a.m. Tuesday (2110 GMT Monday).

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said the suppression pool of the reactor might have been damaged at No. 2 reactor.

A rise in radiation was monitored near the nuclear plant shortly after the blast, said the agency.

The radiation fell to 882 micro sievert after briefly rising as high as 965.5 micro sievert, topping the legal limit of 500.

But the agency said that the radiation will not immediately affect people's health at the levels of above figures.